STEVE Ball is set to make changes to his Colchester United line-up for their EFL Trophy clash with West Ham United under-21s tonight.

The U’s play host to the Hammers youngsters at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 7pm), looking to chalk up their first Group A win.

Clubs must once again adhere to the EFL Trophy selection rules, which ensure 'full strength sides' are fielded.

The U's must include four players in their starting line-up which meet at least one section of the criteria for 'qualifying players'.

They are any player who has started the club's previous or next first-team fixture; any player who is in the top-ten players at the club, who have made the most starting appearances in league and domestic cup competitions that season; any player with 40 or more first-team appearances in their career; any player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.

The likes of Omar Sowunmi, Paris Cowan-Hall and goalkeeper Shamal George could all feature, as Colchester aim to get their first points on the board in this season’s competition.

Colchester were beaten 2-0 at League One side Portsmouth in their opening Group A match, while the Hammers under-21 side won 3-1 at Southend United.

Ball said: “It’s important for the club and it’s a competition that we want to do well in.

“Our squad at the minute is getting better but there will definitely be changes on Tuesday.

“It will be a nice footballing game to play in against West Ham and I can’t wait for it.”

Colchester will head into the game against West Ham under-21s in confident mood, following their impressive start to the campaign.

The U’s are unbeaten in their opening three league games and have taken five points from a possible nine, so far.

“It’s an unbeaten start,“ said Ball.

“To come out of the start that we had with Bradford away, Bolton at home and Barrow away with five points is a real positive.

“The only goal that we’ve conceded was a 30-yard worldy and that’s brilliant.

“I don’t want to sound corny but the boys are in there gutted; there’s a real sense of doom and gloom in the changing room after the game.

“But based on the four years that I’ve done this job, it really adds up at the end of the season if you can come away from point and get good points like that.”

Colchester will be without skipper Harry Pell (groin), Tom Lapslie (knee) and Diaz Wright (knee) for tonight’s game.